Team manager Brendan Hogan had excellent credentials to lead the Ballylongford side to victory as he led Kerry to win their very first Kennedy Cup back in 2015. He was also the co-manager of Newtown Athletic with John Scanlon.
hile this was a different challenge he says he is delighted that his side won the league title. Not only that, but his son Conor was on the team and turned in a wonderful performance at midfield.
“Tony Fennel asked me to take over as manager a while back and after a bit of consideration I took on the challenge," he told The Kerryman.
“The team were closing in on a place in the league final, but we had to keep the momentum going to reach the decider. They are a great bunch of lads who give great commitment and are very easy to work with on the training ground.
“Our squad come from the Ballylongford, Moyvane and Tarbert areas. We dropped some league points earlier in the season with silly errors, but we got it right as the season progressed and it was great to make it to the final.
“The first game was a very tight affair, but we won the replay on Friday night in comfortable fashion at the end. We played some good football on the night and won the game on merit.”
Looking ahead he says he is looking forward to playing in the higher division next season and he sees it as a big challenge.
“We will take it one step at a time as we are going into new territory, but all the squad are relishing the opportunity to play in Division 1B next season.
“We are lucky to have a fine pitch and down the road hopefully we will be able to fully complete our clubhouse and enhance our facilities as we go along.
“The squad had big celebrations in Ballylongford on Friday and Saturday nights and we have to go to Moyvane and Tarbert yet.
“Our season is not over yet and we will be hoping to have a good run in the cup competitions also.”
